I use a couple of 35mm rangefinders purchased on
a bit of a whim in summer 2003: a Zorki-1,
which is a close copy of Leicas of the same period, and a FED-2,
which actually manages to improve somewhat on Leicas of the same period.
More recently, I added the unusual Corfield
Periflex camera of England, which is neither a rangefinder
nor exactly an SLR, but an odd hybrid of the two. Officially, I bought
these to use in situations where a less conspicuous camera is called
for (I like street/candid people photography, but feel more than a little
self-conscious thrusting the giant D60 into stranger's faces), and
to keep at least a toe in the world of film, darkrooms and chemicals.
Unofficially, and more truthfully, I bought them because they're so
retro cool -- just look at all those knurled knobs and polished chrome
surfaces! It's a great way to enter the world of Leica thread-mount
cameras without spending a fortune. In any case, they both take fabulous
pictures.
Kobalux
3.5/28mm
